What is SmartNotes for Slack?
SmartNotes is an intelligent note-taking application that uses AI to analyze and organize your handwritten notes. The Slack integration allows you to instantly share your notes directly in your Slack channels and conversations.
What SmartNotes brings to Slack
- Share to channels: Send your AI-transcribed notes to any public or private channel
- Direct messages: Share your notes via DM with a colleague or in a group conversation
- Automatic formatting: Content is converted to Slack format (bold, italic, lists, links) for optimal readability
- Send history: Keep track of every shared note with the destination and send date
Compatible with all Slack plans
SmartNotes works with Slack Free, Pro, Business+ and Enterprise Grid.
Installation
Add SmartNotes to your Slack workspace in just a few clicks.
Prerequisites
- An active SmartNotes account
- A Slack workspace
- Slack workspace admin permissions or authorization to install applications
Add SmartNotes to Slack
Click the button below to install SmartNotes in your Slack workspace.
Add to SlackInstallation steps
- Click "Add to Slack" Click the button above or access the installation from the SmartNotes app (Menu → Integrations → Slack).
- Sign in to Slack If you are not already signed in, enter your Slack credentials.
- Select your workspace Choose the Slack workspace where you want to install SmartNotes.
- Authorize access Review the requested permissions and click "Allow" to grant SmartNotes access to your workspace.
- Confirmation Once authorization is granted, you will be redirected to SmartNotes. A confirmation message will be displayed.
Installation successful
SmartNotes is now connected to your Slack workspace! You can start sharing your notes.
Usage
Easily share your notes in your Slack channels and conversations.
Share a note on Slack
- Open a note Create a new note or open an existing note in SmartNotes.
- Access integrations Tap the link icon in the toolbar at the bottom of the editor.
- Select Slack Tap the Slack row to display the send options.
- Choose the destination type Select Channel to send to a channel (public or private) or DM to send a direct message (individual or group).
- Search and select the destination Use the search to find the target channel or person.
- Send Tap "Send". The title and content of your note are posted to Slack.
Destination types
| Destination | Description | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Channel | Public or private channel in your workspace | Share a meeting summary with the entire team or a project group |
| Individual DM | Direct message to a colleague | Send a personal note to a collaborator |
| Group DM | Group conversation (2+ people) | Share notes with a small working group |
Formatting
SmartNotes automatically converts your note content to Slack format:
- Bold, italic, strikethrough and
codeare preserved - Bulleted and numbered lists are converted
- Links are transformed to Slack format
- Headings are displayed in bold
- 40,000 character limit per message (Slack limit)
Multiple sends
You can send the same note to multiple channels or people. Each send creates a separate message in Slack.
Required permissions
SmartNotes exclusively uses User Token Scopes (no Bot Token). Messages are sent on your behalf, as if you wrote them yourself in Slack. No bot is added to your workspace.
User Token Scopes
| Scope | Usage | Justification |
|---|---|---|
channels:read |
List public channels | Allows searching and displaying public channels as a destination when sharing a note |
groups:read |
List private channels | Allows searching and displaying private channels you have access to |
users:read |
Read user information | Allows displaying user names and avatars when selecting a DM recipient |
chat:write |
Send messages | Required to post your note content in the selected channels and conversations |
im:write |
Open DM conversations | Allows opening a direct conversation with a user to send a note |
mpim:write |
Open group conversations | Allows opening a group conversation (2+ people) to send a note |
mpim:read |
List group conversations | Allows searching and displaying your existing group conversations as a destination |
Principle of least privilege
SmartNotes only requests the permissions strictly necessary. No message reading scope is requested: SmartNotes cannot read the content of your channels or conversations. Messages are sent on your behalf via your User Token.
No Bot Token
SmartNotes does not use any Bot Token Scope. No bot is installed in your workspace. All actions are performed with your own user token, which means messages appear as coming from you.
Security and data protection
The security of your data is our priority. Here is how SmartNotes protects your information.
Token storage
- OAuth tokens are securely stored in Google Cloud Firestore with encryption at rest
- Tokens are associated with your SmartNotes account and are never shared with third parties
- Tokens are never exposed on the client side — all operations go through secure Cloud Functions
Collected data
| Data | Usage | Retention period |
|---|---|---|
| OAuth User Token | Authentication to send messages on your behalf | Until integration is disconnected |
| Workspace ID | Identify your Slack workspace | Until integration is disconnected |
| Workspace name | Display the workspace name in the SmartNotes interface | Until integration is disconnected |
| User name and avatar | Display your Slack profile in the SmartNotes interface | Until integration is disconnected |
| Send history | Keep track of shared notes (note ID, destination, date) | Until your account is deleted |
What SmartNotes does NOT do
- SmartNotes does not read the content of your Slack channels or messages
- SmartNotes does not store the content of sent messages (only a send history is kept)
- SmartNotes does not share any data with third-party services
- SmartNotes does not collect analytics data about your Slack usage
- SmartNotes does not install any bot in your workspace
Compliance
SmartNotes follows the Slack App Directory guidelines and security best practices. Tokens are stored in Firestore (encryption at rest), never exposed on the client side, and automatically revoked upon disconnection.
Troubleshooting
Common issues
Slack connection fails
Verify that you have the necessary permissions in your Slack workspace to install applications. If your workspace has restrictions on app installation, contact your Slack administrator.
I don't see certain channels in the list
SmartNotes only displays channels that you have access to with your Slack account. For private channels, make sure you are a member. The search filters results by channel name, topic and description.
Sending to Slack fails
Several possible reasons:
• Your token has expired or been revoked — disconnect and reconnect the integration
• The channel has been archived or deleted
• The channel is read-only (restricted_action_read_only_channel)
• You are not a member of the channel (not_in_channel)
• Network connection issue
"channel_not_found" message
This message appears when the channel no longer exists or you do not have access to it. Verify that the channel still exists and that you are a member.
"token_revoked" or "invalid_auth" message
Your Slack authorization has expired or has been revoked. Disconnect the integration in SmartNotes, then reconnect it to obtain a new token.
"missing_scope" message
The action requires a permission that was not granted. Disconnect and then reconnect the Slack integration to grant all the necessary permissions.
Reset the integration
If you encounter persistent issues, you can reset the integration:
- Go to Menu → Integrations in SmartNotes
- Tap Slack
- Select "Disconnect" (this automatically revokes the token)
- Reconnect the integration by following the installation steps
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use SmartNotes with a free Slack workspace?
Yes! SmartNotes works with all versions of Slack, including the free plan.
Are notes shared automatically?
No, sharing to Slack is always manual. You choose which notes to share and which channel to send them to.
Can I send a note to multiple channels?
Yes, you can share the same note to as many channels as you want. Each send creates a separate message.
Are images from my notes sent?
Currently, only the transcribed text is shared in Slack. The original images are not sent.
How do I uninstall SmartNotes from Slack?
You can disconnect the integration from SmartNotes (Menu → Integrations → Slack → Disconnect) or from Slack (Workspace Settings → Manage Apps → SmartNotes → Remove).
Can I install SmartNotes on multiple workspaces?
Currently, SmartNotes can be connected to one Slack workspace per account. Multi-workspace support is planned for a future update.
Does SmartNotes work with Slack Enterprise Grid?
Yes, SmartNotes is compatible with Slack Enterprise Grid. Installation is done at the individual workspace level.
Support
Need help with the Slack integration? Our team is here to help.
Contact us
For any questions or technical issues, feel free to reach out to our support team.
Contact formUseful information for support
To help us resolve your issue faster, please provide:
- Your Slack workspace name
- The SmartNotes app version
- A detailed description of the issue encountered
- Screenshots if possible